Laura Branigan

Biography

Pop singer and celebrity Laura Branigan was created in 1957 within the upstate NY city of Brewster. It wasn’t until her mature season in senior high school that Branigan considered seeking a musical profession, after she arrived a lead function in a college musical, which resulted in her acceptance on the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NEW YORK with the middle-’70s. Branigan after that signed on being a support vocalist for Leonard Cohen, as she toured the planet using the renowned vocalist/songwriter through the entire late ’70s; leading to the vocalist landing a documenting contract on her behalf very own with Atlantic Information. But a breach-of-contract lawsuit resulted after Branigan transformed management, which organized work commencing on her behalf solo debut. With all problems sorted out by the first ’80s, Branigan was today free to start her solo profession, as her debut, Branigan, was released in 1982. The record spawned among the year’s best pop strikes, the Donna Summer-like “Gloria,” a remake of the Italian pop music through the ’70s that peaked at quantity six within the U.K. and number 2 within the U.S. (the music also gained Branigan her to begin four following Grammy nominations for Greatest Pop Vocal Efficiency Woman). The song’s recognition reached substantial proportions in other areas of the globe, especially Germany, where in fact the Branigan edition of “Gloria” sat at the main position as the unique Italian edition held the quantity two place. 1983’s Branigan 2 spawned another two sizeable U.S. strike singles with “Solitaire” and “How Am I Likely to Live Without You” (the second option which was co-written by way of a then-unknown Michael Bolton), while she also made an appearance within the strike soundtrack to Flashdance that same yr with the monitor “Creativity.” Further albums had been issued through the remainder from the ’80s, 1984’s Self Control, 1985’s Keep Me, and 1987’s Touch, which spawned strike singles: the name monitor from Self Control, “The Lucky One,” “Ti Amo,” “Spanish Eddie,” “I CAME ACROSS Somebody,” the name monitor from Keep Me, “Shattered Cup,” and “THE ENERGY of Appreciate.” But, with the dawn from the ’90s, the strikes had dry out for Branigan, therefore albums as 1990’s self-titled discharge and 1993’s Over My Heart proceeded to go completely undetected. In 1994, Branigan dueted with David Hasselhoff over the monitor “I REALLY BELIEVE” for the Baywatch soundtrack, along with a calendar year afterwards, the singer’s initial strikes compilation, the 13-monitor THE VERY BEST of Branigan, was released. Furthermore to issuing albums, Branigan held her acting profession heading all along, as evidenced by visitor spots on it show CHiPS, the films Mugsy’s Gal (1984) and Backstage (1988), in addition to the German tv film An American Young lady In Berlin (1981). Branigan came back to the general public attention in 2002, making rave evaluations with her portrayal of Janis Joplin within the strike NEW YORK musical Like, Janis. On August 26, 2004 Laura Branigan experienced a mind aneurysm and passed away in her rest.

Quick Facts

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Full Name Laura Branigan

Died August 26, 2004, East Quogue, Southampton, New York, United States

Music Songs Gloria, Self Control, Power of Love, The Lucky One, How Am I Supposed to Live Without You, Spanish Eddie, Shattered Glass, Solitaire, I Found Someone, All Night With Me, Never in a Million Years, Cry Wolf, Didn't We Almost Win It All, It's Been Hard Enough Getting Over You, How Can I Help You to Say Goodbye, Satisfaction, Ti Amo, Maybe Tonight, Come Into My Life, Love Your Girl, Spirit of Love, Forever Young, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, Turn the Beat Around, I Wish We Could Be Alone, Foolish Lullaby, Fool's Affair, Deep in the Dark, With Every Beat of My Heart, Mangwane, Silent Partners, Whatever I Do

Albums Branigan, Branigan 2, Self Control, Hold Me, Touch, The Best of Laura Branigan, The Very Best of Laura Branigan, Over My Heart, The Best of Branigan, The Essentials, The Platinum Collection, Shine On: The Ultimate Collection

She recorded her first album when joined the group Meadow at age 20. The album, "The Friendship," was released in 1973 on Paramount Records following the release of two singles in 1972, Here I Am and Cane and Abel. The record company failed to adequately promote the album, so after receiving little airplay, Meadow disbanded.

2

In recent years she continued to perform and record music and dated the drummer in her band, Tommy Bayiokos. But she spent most of her time caring for her mother, Kathleen, 83, who has Alzheimer's, while gardening and cooking for friends.

3

Atlantic records signed her in 1979.

4

She largely left the music industry in 1994 following her husband, Larry Kruteck, being diagnosed with colon cancer. He died in 1996.

5

She also performed the ballad "Sin Hablar", along with the worldwide famous Mexican singer Luis Miguel.

6

Music video for her single "Spanish Eddie" was a re-telling of West Side Story (1961).

7

After she died of a brain aneurysm in her sleep, her brother Marc Branigan said she had complained to a friend of having a continual headache for about two weeks before she died but she had not sought medical attention.

8

Had a unique five-octave range voice.

9

Known mostly for her smash hit songs like "Gloria", "Self-Conrol", "Solitaire", "How am I supposed to Live without You?", "The Lucky One", "The Power of Love", and "Spanish Eddie". She also did international tours, and unique music videos which were filmed in Britain, and other European countries.

10

Was originally announced as the singer of the theme for the Bond film, Octopussy (1983), by producer Albert R. Broccoli.

11

Toured Europe as a backing vocalist for Leonard Cohen in the late 70s.

12

Had a brother, Billy Branigan, who's a singer, writer and producer. They worked together on Laura's "Over My Heart" album.

13

Performed the last song on New American Bandstand 1965 (1952) with Dick Clark - "Shattered Glass," in 1987.

14

She broke both femurs when she fell 10 feet from a ladder whilst hanging wisteria outside her New York State home. [June 2001]

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Soundtrack

Soundtrack

Title

Year

Status

Character

Doctors

2015

TV Series performer - 1 episode

Le mirage

2015

performer: "Self Control"

Welcome to the Basement

2014

TV Series performer - 1 episode

Guapas

2014

TV Series performer - 1 episode

The Killing

2012

TV Series performer - 1 episode

Midnight Heat

2007

performer: "Self Control"

Everybody Hates Chris

2007

TV Series performer - 1 episode

Cold Case

2007

TV Series performer - 1 episode

American Dad!

2006

TV Series performer - 1 episode

The Lather Effect

2006

performer: "Gloria"

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories

2006

Video Game performer: "Gloria"

Saturday Night Live

2005

TV Series performer - 1 episode

I Love the '80s Strikes Back

2003

TV Series documentary performer - 1 episode

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

2002

Video Game performer: "Self Control"

The Preppie Murder

1989

TV Movie performer: "Self Control"

Baywatch

1989

TV Series performer: "I Believe"

Coming to America

1988

performer: "Come Into My Life"

Salsa

1988

performer: "The Magic of Your Love"

Killer Party

1986

performer: "The Lucky One"

Violets Are Blue...

1986

performer: "One Day"

Hittimittari

1985

TV Series performer - 1 episode

The Magic of David Copperfield VII: Familiares

1985

TV Special performer: "Breaking Out"

Hollywood Wives

1985

TV Mini-Series performer: "Hollywood Wives"

Miami Vice

1984

TV Series performer - 1 episode

Body Rock

1984

performer: "Sharpshooter"

Ghostbusters

1984

performer: "HOT NIGHT"

Automan

1984

TV Series performer - 1 episode

An Uncommon Love

1983

TV Movie "The Lucky One"

Trackdown: Finding the Goodbar Killer

1983

TV Movie performer: "Gloria"

Flashdance

1983

performer: "Imagination", "Gloria"

Love Is Forever

1983

TV Movie performer: "Love Is Forever", "Passion and Valor"

Actress

Actress

Title

Year

Status

Character

Monsters

1991

TV Series

Amanda Smith-Jones

Backstage

1988/I

Kate Lawrence

Laura Branigan: Self Control

1984

Video short

Automan

1984

TV Series

Jessie Cole

Delta Pi

1984

Monica

CHiPs

1983

TV Series

Sarah

Self

Self

Title

Year

Status

Character

VH-1 Where Are They Now?

2002

TV Series documentary

Herself

The RuPaul Show

1998

TV Series

Herself

Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon

1997

TV Series

Herself

Festival Internacional de la Canción de Viña del Mar

1996

TV Series

Herself - Jury Member / Herself - Performer

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

1985-1990

TV Series

Herself

Live with Kelly and Michael

1990

TV Series

Herself

The 15th Annual American Music Awards

1988

TV Special

Herself

New American Bandstand 1965

1982-1988

TV Series

Herself

Die verflixte Sieben

1987

TV Series

Singer

Supermodels of the World

1987

TV Movie

Herself

The 13th Annual American Music Awards

1986

TV Special

Herself - Presenter

Living Seas

1986

TV Movie

Herself

Cap d'any a TV3

1985

TV Movie

Herself

Cantantes y sonantes

1985

TV Series

Herself

American Bandstand's 33 1/3 Celebration

1985

TV Special

Herself

Nöjesmassakern

1985

TV Series

Herself

Night of 100 Stars II

1985

TV Movie

Herself

Champs-Elysées

1984

TV Series

Herself

Solid Gold

1984

TV Series

Herself - Host

On Stage America

1984

TV Series

Herself

The 11th Annual American Music Awards

1984

TV Special

Herself - Presenter

Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 1984

1983

TV Movie

Herself - Performer

Musikladen

1983

TV Series

The 10th Annual American Music Awards

1983

TV Special

Herself

Saturday Night Live

1982

TV Series

Herself - Musical Guest

Archive Footage

Archive Footage

Title

Year

Status

Character

Tu cara me suena - Argentina

2015

TV Series

Herself

The 47th Annual Grammy Awards

2005

TV Special

Hittimittari

1984-1985

TV Series

Herself

Looks like we don't have awards information. Sorry!

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Looks like we don't have salary information. Sorry!

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Quote

1

I want to touch people's hearts, to get right down to their souls.

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Trademark

1

Many of her hits were English-language remakes of European hit songs, for the American market.

2

Had an onstage habit of brushing her hair back with one hand, while singing